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Senate blocks $286B farm bill, likely stalling it until next year

(AP) - The Senate blocked a $286 billion farm bill
Friday, a blow to farm-state lawmakers who wanted to give their
constituents expanded subsidies before next year's elections.

Though politically popular, the bill stalled in a dispute
between the parties over unrelated amendments that Republicans
wanted to add. Democrats failed to get the 60 votes they needed to
cut off debate on the measure. The final vote was 55-42.

The vote could push consideration of the legislation into 2008
or beyond. Senate Agriculture Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said
Thursday that the bill may fare better after next year's elections,
with a new Congress and a new president.

The Bush administration has issued a veto threat against the
bill, saying it is too expensive and would pay wealthy farmers too
much.

“The budget situation isn't getting any better, and a year from
now, we may have less money available to write the farm bill.”

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, DFL-Minn.

Farm state Democrats headed home for the Thanksgiving recess are
preparing to blame Republicans for slowing down the legislation.
Some Republicans wanted to offer amendments dealing with the
alternative minimum tax, immigration and other nonagricultural
issues.

"I need to explain why the farm bill has been obstructed," said South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, a Democrat who is up for
re-election next year. "That is no harm to me. I'm afraid the
Republicans have some explaining to do."

"The Senate will pass a farm bill -- that is certain -- but only
after an open and fair debate on the Senate floor," said Senate
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

The five-year bill would extend the 2002 law that governs farm
subsidies and nutrition programs, including food stamps. Most of
those programs are operating under a temporary extension now.

The Senate legislation, like a similar bill passed by the House
in July, has come under fire from taxpayer and government watchdog
groups because it would expand subsidies for some crops and still
allow some wealthy farmers to receive government payments.

Supporters of the bill point to an attempt to scale back some
subsidy programs, including limits on the amount of money paid to
those who don't make a large portion of their income on farming.

The bill also increases nutrition benefits for the poor and for
rural communities, and adds dollars that protect environmentally
sensitive farm land.

As the Senate bill languished, the top Republican on the House
Agriculture Committee said Thursday that he would support extending
current law until Sept. 30, the end of the current budget year.

"The consequences of the Senate's inaction are already
impacting the planning decisions of our farmers and ranchers," said GOP Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.

But House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson,
D-Minn., said it is too early to talk about extending the law.

"The budget situation isn't getting any better, and a year from
now, we may have less money available to write the farm bill," he
said.

The Department of Agriculture agreed.

"There is still time for Congress to pass a new farm bill,"
Acting Agriculture Secretary Charles Conner said in a statement.